Hi all,

I am hoping that some of you will be able to help me by showing me photographs of how your coils are mounted on your A65 Lightning. Hopefully as they should be in standard factory trim.

I have seen in the parts books that there is the one side panel mounting bracket 68-9277 that spans across the frame. Fastened to it are 2 more smaller brackets; L/H 68-9278 and R/H 68-9279.

On the electrical components illustration in the parts book you can only see 1 coil and its mounting clip, although the listed quantity is shown as 2 off each. The clip is 68-4093.

When I bought my bike, many years ago, it didn't have the standard parts and I made my own brackets for the side panels and the coils, which did the job but I would like to know how they should be as standard and I cannot make this out from the parts book illustrations.

I have seen a couple of photographs, which I have managed to find by browsing on google, but they are not very clear and also show different methods of mounting the twin coils. Some have the two coils mounted side by side vertically, sometimes mounted on the rear engine mounting plates. Some have the left hand coil mounted horizontally and the right hand coil mounted vertically?

I would really appreciate any help I can get on this one please.

Kev Ev

AFAIK, your parts book shows the Lightning setup for 1967 models which had one coil mounted vertically and the other coil mounted horzontally. Just for clarification, on 1968 models onwards BSA fitted the sidepanel bracket as attached (this one off my 1970 pre-OIF Firebird) to all models whether twin or single carb, but didn't alter the parts books.. The coil brackets are also different as they mount onto the the rear engine plates top bolt.

Kev - Cannot help with photos, however the 1967 parts book was subject to a number of additions/ammendments on Parts Service bulletins issued by the factory and these might help explain some of the variations you have seen.

The first was parts service bulletin GA22 from November 1966 which had 4 pages, including 68 4094 which was changed to 68 4091. Does not say what the difference was.

More changes in PSB G38 from Jaunary 1967 including 68 4093 now back but with stops (?) 68 4098 and 4099.

Again in PSB  G40 from February 1967 side cover bracket changed for one incorporating a coil stop. No illustrations.

Copies of the entries below.

Thanks for the info guys.

Ian, that look like the same side panel mounting bracket that I have and I mounted my coils in virtually the same way as your photograph, using the rear engine plates top mounting bolt.

I think I'll stick with this method as it looks neat and works fine.

I do remember that, after riding the bike from my home city of Hull to Knockhill in Scotland for the Bob McIntyre Classic Race in the early 90's, I found that my tax disc had disappeared from the front fork leg. The rivets had fatigued due to the vibration and it had obviously fell off. The ignition coils were also loose and tilted forward, they were resting against the engine due to the rear engine plates top mounting bolt losing it's securing nut. I was a bit peeved, as I had to replace the shiny stainless steel nut that had disappeared with a rusty old replacement from the toolbox of one of the riders in the pits.

Apart from that the bike got me to Scotland and back okay.